Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Proper Use And Care Of Extension Ladders

By Dale Peck


One of the many useful tools construction workers and home owners like using are extension ladders. It is astonishing that for as many different people which use ladders, how often they misuse them. This is often bad for the people that use them as falls even from small heights from improperly used or cared for ladders generally cause more accidents around homes and job sites and are also one of the largest factors for people getting hurt. Most of these are avoidable by following some basic rules.

Whey you get the ladder for use, go over it real good looking for any missing or broken pieces. If you find any broken or bent side rails or any other forms of damage structurally it must be destroyed so it can not be used. The simplest method is to chop it into smaller pieces making it useless.

It should be checked for grease, dirt and other types of debris. If it has these it must be cleaned up so it will not be a safety hazard. Every time it is used this should be done.

Using a ladder is a simple task which generally only requires some basic steps. Look over the ladder ensuring it is entirely closed before moving it to the place you plan on using it. Select a place to put it up that is compacted and level so the feet do not kick-out from under it.

Put the foot of the ladder tightly against the inside base of what it will be set on. Move to the top of the ladder, moving from one rung to another hand over hand, walk it up to a straight vertical position. Keeping it braced to the structure will generally help you maintain enough leverage to keep lifting it past the middle point. It is typically best to keep it around 1/4 the height of your extended ladder away from the wall.

Once it is in the vertical position, carefully walk it side by side to the area away from the wall you planned to place it. Let the top gently fall against the wall. It is sometimes easier to do this if you are on the opposite side of it with you back against the wall while letting it fall down. If it needs to be raised carefully pull rope until the fly section is raised to the proper height.

While lifting it, always have a foot on its bottom rung to help prevent it from moving away from your wall. Try to keep the top at least three feet above the working height you plan to use it at. Check the rung locks so they are correctly engaged and it is steady before you start climbing on it.

Good working extension ladders are difficult to beat for getting at hard to reach spots at work or around the house. If they are not used correctly they may cause people to get hurt. It is important to maintain and use them correctly. Always use your gut instincts so the only thing finished is what you are doing.




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